Attacks on 14 September that set ablaze the Saudi Arabian crude processing plant in Abqaiq and the Arab Light Khurais field will have little impact on sulphur supply from state-owned supplier Aramco Trading.
The Abqaiq facility produces around 100,000 t/yr of sulphur, while Saudi Arabia as a whole has an estimated sulphur production capacity of 7.1mn t/yr. The majority of Saudi Arabia's sulphur production comes from gas processing operations, with only 15pc coming from oil processing. No impact on Saudi sulphur exports is expected as a result.
The Chinese paper market prices for November have increased by around 30 yuan/t since 13 September to Yn674/t, following news of the attacks, but there has so far been no impact on the physical market.
